15 Summer Internships for High School Students in Illinois
As a high school student, summer internships give you the chance to step outside the classroom and explore subjects you might want to pursue later in college or as a career. Whether you’re drawn to lab research, creative projects, or professional workplaces, internships let you gain experience, connect with mentors, and develop transferable skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and communication. They also provide an early look at how your interests connect to real-world opportunities.
Illinois offers a wide variety of programs that reflect the state’s strengths in areas like healthcare, technology, public policy, and the arts. With institutions such as the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois, you’ll find opportunities that expose you to both academic and professional environments. If you are a local student looking for a program near home, or an out-of-state student wanting to explore the work culture in Illinois, you can find an opportunity that suits your needs.
To help you find the right fit, here’s a list of 15 summer Internships for high school students in Illinois.
Note: Some of the programs listed here are not traditional internships, but offer work-learn opportunities to help you develop through working on projects.
1. Fermilab Program for Research, Innovation, and STEM Mentorship (PRISM)
Location: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia, IL
Stipend: $500/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Illinois high school seniors
Fermilab’s PRISM program is a summer internship for high school students in Illinois that gives high school seniors and recent graduates a four-week deep dive into STEM research. Each week introduces a new scientific area, including particle physics, quantum science, and artificial intelligence, through labs, lectures, and facility tours. You’ll work with Fermilab researchers on projects while also developing a research abstract, poster, and final presentation. The rotating themes make it possible to explore multiple areas of STEM in a short period of time. By the conclusion, you’ll have first-hand exposure to both experimental and theoretical aspects of scientific research.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students. The AI Fellowship requires completion of the AI Scholars program or prior experience with Python.
Veritas AI’s programs focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning, combining technical instruction with project-based work. In the AI Scholars track, you begin by learning the fundamentals of AI through live sessions with researchers, building a group project that applies those skills. More advanced options like the AI Fellowship include one-on-one mentorship, where you create your own AI model under the guidance of experts from leading universities. Faculty come from institutions like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and Princeton, providing access to academic expertise while you design, test, and refine your project. By the end, you’ll not only understand AI concepts but also have a completed project to showcase.
3. UChicago Medicine ResearcHStart
Location: University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University, and Rush University
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students
Dates: Second week of June to the first week of August
Application Deadline: Typically in January
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years old, have an interest in scientific research or medicine, and are from the Chicago and Urbana-Champaign areas
Research Start is one of the most research-focused summer internships for high school students in Illinois. It places you in cancer research labs at leading universities in Illinois, where you’ll work full-time on projects in areas like immunology, bioengineering, and experimental therapeutics. Beyond daily lab tasks, you attend faculty lectures that introduce cancer biology and treatment approaches. The program includes structured workshops on professional skills and career exploration, helping you prepare for future opportunities in science. At the end, you present your findings in a research symposium designed for both scientists and the community.
4. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Four cohorts annually: spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students
Ladder Internships pairs students with startups and nonprofits to take on project-based work in entrepreneurship and technology. Depending on the track, you might collaborate with a supervisor from a fast-growing company or work directly with a CEO on strategy and execution. Projects can range from research and marketing to product development, depending on the host organization’s needs. The program emphasizes mentorship from experienced professionals, many with backgrounds at major firms or institutions. By contributing to real projects, you see how startups function at an early stage and how leadership decisions shape growth.
5. Data Science Institute Summer Lab
Location: UChicago Hyde Park campus, Chicago, IL
Stipend: $4,800 (tentative)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The previous cohort had 21 students
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Chicago-area high school students
The Data Science Institute Summer Lab is a summer internship for high school students in Illinois that emphasizes interdisciplinary learning through eight weeks of mentored research. Projects span diverse areas: public policy, climate science, biomedical research, and computer science, so your placement is tailored to your stated interests. Mentors introduce you to research practices such as data collection, modeling, and analysis while guiding you through team-based work. The program does not assume prior research experience, making it accessible if you’re new to the field but motivated to learn. Beyond technical skills, you also build collaboration and communication abilities through your cohort experience.
6. Argonne National Laboratory College Bound Research Program
Location: Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL
Stipend: $500/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive admissions
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: Typically mid-April
Eligibility: Illinois high school seniors who are at least 18 years old, interested in STEM, have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale, are enrolled to attend college full-time, and are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
Argonne’s College Bound Research Program places you in the middle of an active national laboratory environment. For 40 hours each week, you work alongside scientists and engineers on real research projects and investigations that contribute to broader scientific goals. You will also gain an inside view of how federal research institutions function day-to-day. The program is designed to challenge your scientific understanding and test whether this type of environment excites you. For those looking at summer internships for high school students in Illinois, Argonne offers a direct path into authentic scientific discovery.
7. Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
Stipend: Fellowship payment provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: Typically March or April
Eligibility: Rising 10th to 12th graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin
The Young Scholars program immerses you in university-level research across STEMM fields such as neuroscience, bioengineering, physics, and artificial intelligence. For six weeks, you’re paired with faculty, graduate students, and other mentors while contributing to authentic lab projects. Weekly seminars cover professional skills, from presenting scientific findings to preparing a strong research poster. You also gain guidance on the college admission process, including how to highlight research experience in applications. At the end of the summer, you present your work at a symposium alongside peers and mentors.
8. City of Chicago Internships and Volunteer Programs
Location: Chicago, IL
Stipend: Some positions are paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by position
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and graduate students. Some internships may have specific requirements.
Through the City of Chicago’s student opportunities, you can explore municipal government by being matched with opportunities across different departments. Options range from public safety with the Fire Department to cultural programming with Special Events, and even accountability work with the Office of the Inspector General. This gives you a chance to see how city departments operate and where your interests align. You’ll build workplace skills while contributing to projects that affect residents of Chicago. For anyone considering summer internships for high school students in Illinois, this program offers exposure to the inner workings of local departments in a practical way.
9. UChicago Youth Internship Program
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Stipend: $15.80/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 23 – July 31
Application Deadline: April 24
Eligibility: Chicago public high school students who live or attend school on the South Side, are at least 16 years old, and have an interest in health sciences, computer sciences, or IT services
The University of Chicago Youth Internship Program introduces high school students to STEM careers through a two-summer sequence. The first summer emphasizes preparation, with seminars, guest speakers, workplace tours, and college readiness activities. In the second year, returning students reapply to take on a six-week job placement in fields like computer science, health sciences, or IT services. Assignments vary, but may include shadowing, summarizing research, updating records, or supporting department projects. Every student completes a formal presentation about their placement, giving you material you can later use for college or job applications. The program also partners with One Summer Chicago, connecting you with a broader citywide network of youth opportunities.
10. The Field Museum High School Science and Digital Learning Program
Location: The Field Museum, Chicago, IL
Stipend: $16.50/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 15 students
Dates: 5 weeks starting in June
Application Deadline: March 10
Eligibility: High school students (excluding freshmen) from Chicagoland
At the Field Museum, the Science and Digital Learning Program places you in small teams that design a five-week research project with the help of museum scientists. This program focuses on how summer internships for high school students in Illinois can merge science with creative digital applications. Each student chooses a researcher to collaborate with and develops a project supported by digital tools and media. Along the way, you’re introduced to a range of museum professionals and their areas of study, from biodiversity to cultural research. Technology plays a major role, and you’ll learn software and media skills to enhance your project and communication.
11. College of Medicine Rockford’s Summer Science Internship
Location: College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL
Stipend: Provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 5 positions available
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old and attend school in the Rockford School District and nearby communities
This is one of the most immersive summer internships for high school students in Illinois, focused on science and research. At the College of Medicine Rockford, you’ll step into research labs where scientists are working on vaccines, cancer treatments, and new drug design. The internship pairs you with a mentor, giving you daily guidance and feedback as you learn laboratory techniques. You will also practice essential career-building skills like writing resumes, presenting your findings, and collaborating with a team. Over the summer, you’ll create posters or presentations that show the research you contributed to.
12. Rush University Medical Center MedSTEM Pathways
Location: Rush University Medical Center or a partner organization in Chicago, IL
Stipend: Provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 to July 31
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors who live in Chicago (Oak Park & River Forest residents are accepted) with a minimum 2.5 weighted GPA and an 80% attendance record
MedSTEM Pathways places you in a department where you gain direct exposure to careers in health care, IT, finance, research, and more. The summer session combines internship hours with courses in communication, teamwork, and industry-recognized certifications. You might train in areas like ECG technology or nursing assistance while also learning how to manage time, collaborate effectively, and think critically. The program emphasizes both college readiness and career development, so you’re strengthening academic skills at the same time as workplace ones. Networking is another built-in element, as you’ll meet healthcare providers, alumni, and professionals from different STEM fields.
13. High School District 214 Internships
Location: High School District 214, IL
Stipend: Unpaid; students earn academic credit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters
Application Deadline: Summer: February 28
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 by the start of the internship and have taken career pathway coursework
If you’ve already taken career pathway courses, District 214’s internship program helps you connect what you learned in class with actual workplace experience. You’ll be placed in a role that reflects your career interest while working with professionals in the field. The internship is tracked on your transcript and organized under one of seven career endorsement areas recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education. By the end, you’ll better understand whether a career pathway truly fits you. Programs like this stand out among summer internships for high school students in Illinois because of their clear link to academic credit and career preparation.
14. Chicago Botanic Garden College First Internship
Location: Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Dates: June 24 – August 9
Application Deadline: April 16
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in a Chicago Public School with an interest in science and nature who intend to attend college
College First combines environmental science coursework with field-based research at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Over the seven-week session, you will take part in college-level classes three days a week, conduct your own investigation under a mentor’s guidance, and join Friday trips to study local ecosystems. You will also receive structured preparation for college applications and career planning, including exposure to campuses through overnight visits. By the end of the summer, you’ll have a mix of lab skills, fieldwork experience, and a clearer view of how to pursue science after high school. This is one of the summer internships for high school students in Illinois that connects science learning directly with both college preparation and environmental action.
15. After School Matters
Location: The Michael and Karyn Lutz Center/Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, Chicago, IL
Stipend: Varies by program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Late June — early August
Application Deadline: Applications open in April
Eligibility: Students aged 14–18 who live and attend high school in Chicago
After School Matters offers multiple internship formats: Apprenticeships, Assistantships, and Internships, spread across Chicago neighborhoods. Each format emphasizes a different type of learning, either direct skill practice in a field, teamwork with mentor guidance, or leadership and project management. The programs cover a wide range of interests, from STEM and business to arts and sports. You’ll work with peers and instructors in schools, parks, and community centers, gaining practical experience in settings beyond the classroom.
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